THE ROLLING STONES Let It Bleed 1969 UK STEREO DECCA SKL 5025 vg+ vinyl+audio

	£		73
	$		97

                    THE ROLLING STONES - LET IT BLEED                    

An increasingly rare and sought after copy of this 1969 UK 1st pressing Stones classic on the DECCA label, STEREO SKL 5025

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  XZAL - 9363.P - 1W with stampers "2 B" and "K M" at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock respectively

Side 2   XZAL - 9364 - P - 6W with stampers "1" and "G 0" (little tricky to distinguish the "0" - could be a "B" or "G") at  9 o'clock and 3 o'clock respectively

Each side of the vinyl also has the "J T" tax code located in the dead wax area at 12 0'clock, again indicating this to be a very early pressing.

The appearance of the vinyl is excellent. This is heavy duty, completely flat vinyl and still retains it's original beautiful glossy and jet black lacquered sheen. Under a bright light it's possible to pick out a few fine, small wispy hairlines and also some light scuff marks all of which appear to be surface only and do not detract from the excellent audio quality. The exception to this, and why I have to grade the overall condition of the vinyl as VG+ and not excellent, is a very small scuff on the title track which, though not feelable, does result in five mild clicks about a third of the way through the track. But still impressive, especially considering this record's 49 year antiquity. 

The labels are excellent. No blemishes with all of the iconic silver writing, "ffss" logo, and matt textured blue background all perfectly intact. Just the usual few faint spindle trails adjacent to the hole on each side. Apart from that...perfect!

The front laminated, outer sleeve is very good plus (VG+). All edges, including the spine, remain firm and with no scuffing - remarkable! And each corner remains a perfectly defined right angle with very minimal rubbing. There is no laminate lifting apart from just a very, very small area at the bottom left corner next to the bottom edge, and there are some 1cm very light laminate creases adjacent and perpendicular to the edges but these really are not intrusive. In the top left corner (just above the "DECCA" logo) there is a very small area of faint sticker residue and there is just the hint of a little surface creasing towards the opening edge. The edges themselves are not frayed or feathered in any way. The reverse side is also VG+ with no unwanted writing or doodles but does come across as just a little "grubby", and there are a couple of very light abrasions towards the opening edge. The photos/artwork and colouring remain rich and vibrant, however, particularly on the front side along with the original "ROLLING STONES POSTER" sticker. These minor blemishes and the hint of grubbiness prevents me from grading as excellent, but certainly a strong VG.

The quality of the audio is very good+. There is impressive tone and clarity throughout and with no distortion, even on the higher frequencies and at higher volume. No skips or sticking and the only clicking of note are the aforementioned five mild clicks on the title track on side 1. There is just the hint of some occasional very light background crackle during the beginning of side 2 and a few of the quieter moments/interludes but this is not intrusive at all. This record, in it's entirety, still makes for a great listen.

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. GIMMIE SHELTER

2. LOVE IN VAIN

3. COUNTRY HONK

4. LIVE WITH ME

5. LET IT BLEED

Side 2 :

1. MIDNIGHT RAMBLER

2. YOU GOT THE SILVER

3. MONKEY MAN

4. YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT

The original, coveted Victor Kahn designed Rolling Stone poster is of course included and comes with perfect folds and no splits or tears, but does have a pin hole in each corner along  with a small area of sellotape "browning" also in each corner (see photo). Overall a VG+.

Comes with original iconic "HARD KNOX AND DURTY SOX" Decca poly lined inner sleeve, with song/instrument credits, with no splits, tears, fraying, or age discolouration but does have noticeable corner creasing! Note that I always post the record in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary an overall VG+ copy of this increasingly rare and sought after 1969 UK original STEREO pressing rock masterpiece - a worthy addition to any vinyl collection and only continuing to gain in value.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 48 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 63 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

** I DO POST WORLDWIDE ** 

For this item postage & packaging will be :

for the UK, Royal Mail 1st class : £3.00, 

for continental Europe international tracked & signed for : £9.00

and for Rest of the World international tracked & signed for £14.00

 I do discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding! Richard

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler